“Judah, how can you say to me,\par ‘I am not guilty;\par I have not worshiped the Baal {\cf2\super [13]} idols’?\par Think about the things you did in the valley.\par Think about what you have done.\par You are like a fast she-camel\par that runs from place to place.\par
“A thief is ashamed when people catch him.\par In the same way,\par the people of Israel are ashamed,\par the kings and leaders are ashamed,\par and the priests and prophets are ashamed.\par
I tell you that you must do better than the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. {\cf2\super [62]} If you are not better people, then you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
These things the law {\cf2\super [28]} says are for the people that are under the law. This stops all \{Jewish\} people from making excuses and brings the whole world (Jews and non-Jews) under God’s judgment.
So don’t judge before the right time; wait until the Lord comes. He will shine light on the things that are hidden in darkness. He will make known the secret purposes of people’s hearts. Then God will give every person the praise he should get.
The Lord protects his holy people.
He keeps them from stumbling.
But bad people will be destroyed.
They will fall in the darkness.
Their power will not help them win.